Millett "Starving Student" hybrid amp - Page 183

Thanks, zkool! That's exactly what I was looking for. I just got a shipment confirmation from mouser, and my tubes should be here by Monday. I should be able to start by Tuesday at the latest. I just picked up my enclosure from a local shop. I won't say what it is, but it'll be a surprise when I post pics.

I'm trying DIY Layout Creator to do a layout on perf board. It's freeware and was mentioned on some thread here. I'm using beta version 2.01 that I can't find on the web right now. I think it's really an alpha version because the creator says the release version won't be able to open files created with the beta. He's currently working on version 3 that will be in open source.



I think if I ever get to doing a lot of point to point on perf board, I'll buy something like LochMaster

Stunning build. Wouldn't look out of place in a Gallery as a piece of sculptural art. Form and Function.

How did you make the wood tube surrounds? Turned on a lathe or is there another way?

Thanks Forte, yes, turned on the lathe as a tube then parted down the middle to make two.

Hi,
i've built my amp with the original plans, it worked for a while but now it seems broken, i never hear the music in both ears no matter how i set the volume pot, and i hear a loud humming all the time.
Anyone have any suggestions how to fix this?

I'm also intresded in how to improve the sound quality, what parts should i replace/add.

//Petter

We may need a pic or two. Sounds like some wiring/soldering connections have given way.

Here's Dsavitsk's latest PCB design. Resistors and input terminal block have been moved further in, additions are extra pads for smaller caps on the electrolytics (the originals were sized for very large boutiques), an extra pad to accomodate a large resistor on the back side for tube LED's, and the center hole has been grounded to the ground plane. (Again, the ground plane is not shown for clarity.)

He's probably getting frustrated with me by now - I asked for a few additions to the silkscreen. So this may change slightly ... or it may not.

It's like when i try to set the volume higher, the right channel gets quiet and vice versa. The amp just "broke" without me changing anything or open it.

Sorry, but that's not helpful. Open it. One thing you could do before that - swap the tubes from one channel to the other and see if that changes anything. Otherwise, open it and give us some pics. It may take some measurements, too.

I think Tom needs a moto, maybe: 'A picture is worth a thousand words.'

I don't have much experience in the department, but from everything read in this thread, pictures really do hold the key.

tomb, thanks for the update -- will the updated design require a second prototype/test phase before the production board will be released?

thanks! -zk

scomptom, I like it but I;ve not tried it yet. Whe you put components on the proto, is it smart enough to show the traces that are connected with each components? (eg. traces change colors).

zk

NO!

I asked for was a few silkscreen notes -
* label the ground pad for the pot
* move the 123 numbers for the MOSFETs to the board (since they're cut off from the edge of the board)
* put "+" signs in the right places for the tube LED pads, and
* label the input terminal block with L, R, G.

None of those things - whether implemented or not - will create the need for a new prototype run.

Again I maybe nit-picking, especially for a limited board run (tube availability), but I thought these things might be simple and offer a good benefit. Really, I don't mean to plead my case in public, either. Dsavitsk is busier than I am lately. We will be well-served even with the board as it is, quite frankly.

cool thanks

apologies for all the questions and completely understand if you can't disclose any info at this time, but how many boards/tube pairs roughly will be available in stock and is there a new release timing date?

thanks tomb.

zk

I have about 30 power supplies, but not as many as the other things. So my latest thinking is to offer about 30 kits first, then sell the boards with tubes until the tubes run out. I estimate somewhere between 50 - 100 (x2 tubes each) for that, but we'll order 200 boards total. That means some will be left over.

If more tubes (in qty) show up (we hope that's the case), that strategy may change.